Braves Lock In Acuña And Albies At Shocking Bargain Prices
· Yahoo Sports
The biggest shock in Atlanta sports news isn’t a trade or a star leaving town. It is how little money the Atlanta Braves will pay their two best players next year. The team exercised their options for Ronald Acuña Jr and Ozzie Albies for the 2027 season, locking them in for a combined total of just $24 million. That figure is shockingly low for two players who have carried the franchise for a decade.
Most fans expected a massive price tag for the 2023 NL MVP and the long-time second baseman. Instead, the club secured Acuña for $17 million and Albies for $7 million. This move was the “no-brainer decision of all no-brainer decisions” after the team won 94 games and claimed the NL East title, according to Battery Power. The organization also cleared the books by reinstating four pitchers from the injured list, including Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep, just as the postseason kicked off.
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The Price Tag Defies Logic
It is rare to see a team keep its core stars for such a low cost in modern baseball. Acuña is set to make $6 million less than the standard MLB qualifying offer, which is a massive win for the front office. Some fans thought Acuña would not return, but those rumors ignored the reality of the contract signed years ago. The deal allows Atlanta to keep the player who achieved the historic 40-home run, 70-stolen base season in 2023.
Ozzie Albies brings a similar value with his $7 million price tag for the upcoming year. While he had a career low in wRC+ this season, the team views him as a bridge for younger prospects waiting in Double-A. Replacing him would likely cause more trouble than simply keeping him on the roster for one more year.
The financial flexibility this creates is huge for the rest of the roster. With $24 million committed to two All-Stars, the team has room to address other needs like shortstop. The Braves are looking at trade options such as Jeremy Peña from the Astros, as their current plans with Ha-Seong Kim did not work out. This budget allows them to be aggressive in the market while keeping their stars.
Health Remains the Only Wild Card
The only question left for both players is their physical status heading into next season. Acuña tore his ACL in 2024 but returned in 2025, proving he can still dominate when healthy. When he is not healthy, people hear about it constantly, but the team is betting on his recovery. The same logic applies to Albies, whose value skyrockets when he is on the field and playing his usual style.
Reinstating the pitching staff shows the team is ready to move forward with a full squad. Neither Spencer Schwellenbach nor Spencer Strider should be anticipated to immediately resume their previous performance levels. Joey Wentz suffered a lower body injury blowing out his right ACL during a Spring Training bunt attempt. The front office knows these pitchers need time, but the moves made on Thursday signal a clear path forward.
The focus now shifts to the trade market before the league locks up. A lockout is expected to start on December 2, which means teams will rush to get business done before that date. The current trade rumors are “hot and heavy” with many options on the table. The team needs to solve the shortstop issue while the clock runs down on the regular offseason window.